Best Laptops for Programming in 2025

Whether you’re a programmer working at home, in the office, or on the go, the best laptop for programming is focused on great performance, absolute comfort, and total portability.

If you’re looking for the best programming laptop, you’ll want a fast processor and RAM that won’t lag when you’re working on many projects, just like you would with any of the best business laptops. Having a high-capacity SSD is also necessary so that loading projects and files doesn’t take too long.

We tested the finest laptops for programming to help you choose the best one. Each gadget has undergone our thorough testing procedure, which includes both benchmark test results and our real-world observations.

1. Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch

Specifications:

Here are the specifications of the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch:

The MacBook Pro 14-inch (2023) is excellent for programming as well as creative operations. This M2 Pro- or M2 Max-powered laptop elevates the MacBook Pro to a whole new level, dominating the competition with mind-blowing power, mind-blowing battery life, and an XDR display with 1600 nits of peak brightness. You can make sure you have all the required peripherals because there is an SD card slot, an HDMI port, and three Thunderbolt 4 ports.

An extremely powerful laptop with a long battery life is the MacBook Pro 14-inch (2023). This is a workstation with a gorgeous screen, great speakers, and a built-in microphone that you don’t need to plug anything else into.

The upgraded specifications of the MacBook Pro 14-inch (2023) make this a fantastic laptop, and after slipping behind in the display department, Apple has regained the lead with the greatest laptop screen available right now.

However, many people probably don’t need a 14-inch MacBook Pro. The MacBook Air (M1 or M2) continues to be your best notebook if you’re not throwing it complicated tasks.

2. Dell XPS 15

Specifications:

Here are the specifications of the Dell XPS 15:

High praise for the stylish, well-made machine, which features a brushed CNC aluminum chassis and plush carbon fiber palm rests that make typing on it a pleasure.

The Windows computer’s performance is exceptional, with up to RTX 3050 Ti graphics and 12th-generation Intel processors. With mobility in mind, we were also pleasantly surprised by the battery life, which exceeded our expectations for an Intel Alder Lake processor.

A severe lack of connectivity, however, negates the device’s portability. There isn’t much room left for anything else, notably USB Type-A peripherals, with only three USB Type-C connectors. So if you wish to connect a lot of gadgets, you might need to carry a different docking station.

Alternatively, you might choose the 2023 version. However, in our tests, we found that it lagged behind its “perfect” predecessor.

3. Microsoft Surface Pro 9

Specifications:

Here are the specifications of the Microsoft Surface Pro 9:

For an even more potent and portable experience, Microsoft’s Surface Pro 9 5G draws on the design advancements made by the Surface Pro 8 model.

The Surface Pro 9 5G is a 5G system that is prepared to keep you connected at home and on the go without a Wi-Fi connection. In other words, this is the perfect laptop for programmers who are constantly on the go, such as freelancers or those who operate from different locations and field offices. It also has one of the greatest webcams we’ve ever used on a laptop, with the brand-new Windows 11 operating system pre-installed.

However, because the device is ARM-based, it cannot run programs like Adobe Creative Cloud. But for efficient programming work, the CPU and RAM guarantee smooth operation. The Surface Pro 9 5G takes Microsoft’s Surface series in the right direction with its larger screen, compact and slender pencil, and day-beating battery life, but the proprietary ARM chip introduces a number of issues.

4. Apple MacBook Air

Specifications:

Here are the specifications of the Apple MacBook Air:

If portability is your primary priority when choosing a laptop for programming, Apple’s sleek, lightweight Macbook Air is unquestionably something to take into account. In fact, we dubbed it the best MacBook overall because it is that fantastic.

When you’re on the run, the laptop’s powerful M2 CPU offers top performance and a long battery life. In fact, our performance benchmark testing revealed significant performance similarities between the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro 13. But unlike its 13-inch predecessor, a sleek new design provides a bigger, brighter screen.

So it starts to make a lot more sense as a gadget if you think of it as an upgrade to the 13-inch Macbook Pro. In actual use, the laptop is small, light, and completely silent; nevertheless, under exceptionally demanding workloads, such as 8K video editing, be prepared for the fans to engage.

By no means is it the most affordable laptop for programming. There are newer Macbook Air models available, but we discovered that they just cannot compete with the M2 2022 model.

5. Alienware m17 R5 AMD 

Specifications:

Here are the specifications of the Alienware m17 R5 AMD:

The Alienware m17 R5 AMD Advantage is difficult to match for a programming laptop with a huge screen.

It is a beast of a laptop for gamers, which means it has all the top-end capabilities you need to write without experiencing performance concerns, according to our testing of the device. The tablet easily sliced through practically everything we threw at it in our benchmark tests, and its high-resolution screen looked stunning while doing it.

It’s an incredibly well-made laptop in terms of design; the sturdy chassis has just the appropriate amount of RGB lighting and some extremely ingenious design elements, such as the efficient cooling routes and thoughtfully placed connectors. Even upgrades are possible—up to a point.

If there are any drawbacks, they are the m17’s weight (which is the price to pay for a well-made laptop with a 17-inch display) and its average battery life. Performance here takes precedence over portability. The Dell XPS 17 is a great alternative if you’re looking for a 17-inch laptop with Intel-based programming capabilities.

6. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme

Specifications:

Here are the specifications of the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme:

The ThinkPad X1 Extreme mobile workstation from Lenovo is the finest laptop for programming if you have the money to invest in an unstoppable workhorse.

We consider this laptop to be among the greatest Lenovo laptops for a variety of reasons. Depending on your requirements and financial situation, it comes in various variants. Even yet, it’s already quite powerful at its most basic level, with a strong graphics card housed in a durable carbon-fiber and aluminum housing that can withstand any workplace or field.

The sole drawback? This is not a cheap option. This is a fully functional, transportable workstation for business-minded workers. The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme has a price tag to match its capability, but you get what you pay for.

The ThinkPad X1 Extreme (Gen 4/Gen 5) now comes in a variety of updated configurations with up to 11th or 12th Gen Intel Core CPUs and improved specifications. After testing the new models, we’ll post an updated review.

7. HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook

Specifications:

Here are the specifications of the HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook:

At present, the HP Elite Dragonfly is the best Chromebook for business. It offers incredible performance, a lovely design, and a respectable battery life. This Chromebook is the only one with the Intel vPro security features, which go above and beyond what you’ll find on the consumer market.

No matter the workload, the entry-level configuration’s additional security features make it more than capable of ranking among the greatest laptops for programmers. This Chromebook’s raw power makes it excellent for programming. The Elite Dragonfly Chromebook has 5G/LTE connectivity as an option. Therefore, such speedier mobile connections will be quite useful for programmers who are constantly on the road. The ergonomic keyboard is also excellent for all-day use.

You’ll struggle to find a better Chromebook for your business given its stunning design on the inside and out and its performance, connectivity options, and security features.

How To Choose The Best Laptop For Programming

There are several factors to take into account while deciding which laptop is best for programming.

First of all, where do you intend to use this apparatus? Screen size and keyboard considerations are somewhat less important if your principal use will be seated at a desk connected to a complete setup with an external display or monitors, keyboard, and mouse. But if you use this laptop in a coffee shop, on the train, at several workspaces, or even on the couch, those factors become even more crucial.

It would help if you thought about the laptop’s battery life. You won’t need to carry a charger around with you if the battery lasts all day. A lesser battery capacity, however, can work just fine if you want to keep your setup primarily in one location. Choose a laptop with a large storage capacity if you frequently deal with files that take up space. Otherwise, you’ll also need to lug around an external hard disk. The connectivity ports, security features, display, and price are the last things to consider.

For laptops that will be utilized with peripherals, pay attention to the laptop’s internals. Internal storage, RAM, and the processor are all included in this. Desk accessories, such as a decent keyboard, external storage devices, a good display, and so forth, can improve everything else.

What is a programming laptop?

A programming laptop has excellent CPUs and RAM and is built for quick, reliable code testing. The laptop’s ease of use and comfort are equally crucial to its performance. To type all that code, you’ll need a reliable keyboard. It’s also crucial to have a display that won’t make your eyes sore after prolonged use. And for improved portability, if you spend most of your time traveling by car, think about getting one of the best Ultrabooks or other thin and light laptops.

Overall, a few key elements are the emphasis on programming laptops. No matter the brand, a laptop will likely function well as a programming laptop if these four factors are high on the list.

What laptop screen size is best for programming?

Without having further information, as was already indicated, it is difficult to answer this question. Fundamentally, it depends on the individual. Whether you use an external monitor as your primary display can also affect this. To go the portable route, choose a device with an 11- to 14-inch display. Although a 15-inch screen or larger is rather heavy, it also provides a lot more room to view your work.